Japan began deploying soldiers on Wednesday to a northern region hit by a spate of deadly bear attacks, which have risen to record levels this year.

New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government is scrambling to draft a special policy package to deal with the crisis, which has resulted in 12 deaths and more than 100 injuries since April.

Japan has strict gun laws and the troops will not carry firearms or hunt the animals.

They will instead arm themselves with bear sprays, sticks, shields, goggles, bullet-proof jackets and net launchers, the defence ministry said, as they attempt to restore a sense of safety in panicked communities.

A poor acorn harvest this year has triggered Japan's growing bear population to come into towns to seek food, particularly in northern regions such as Akit

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